COLUMBUS — In a move that marks a new chapter for the local justice system, the Bartholomew County Commissioners have officially ratified the promotion of Stacey Harry as the new Director of Community Corrections.
Harry becomes only the fifth director in the program’s 40-year history, which was established in 1986 to provide community-based alternatives to traditional incarceration. Her appointment follows a unique selection process in which the Community Corrections Advisory Board—composed of local judges, law enforcement, and legal experts—voted on the candidate, whose position was finalized by the county commissioners on Monday morning.
A lifelong resident of the area and a graduate of Columbus East High School, Harry brings over two decades of experience within the Bartholomew County Court Services division. A veteran of the U.S. Army, she began her local career in 2003 and has since served in several critical leadership capacities:
- Adult Probation Supervisor: A role she assumed in 2017.
- Veterans Treatment Court: Serving as a dedicated case manager for former service members.
- Alcohol and Drug Program: Serving as the director of the court’s specialized recovery and diversion initiatives.
Harry, who has lived in Columbus since 1990, is married with two children. Her deep local ties and extensive history with the department were cited by officials as key factors in her selection.
The vacancy in the director’s office followed the passing of Rob Gaskill, who led the department from 2008 until his death in July 2025 following a battle with glioblastoma. Gaskill was widely credited with modernizing the county’s residential services and work release programs.
Under Harry’s leadership, Community Corrections will continue to oversee a broad spectrum of “evidence-based” supervision, including:
- Home Detention & Electronic Monitoring
- Work Release & Residential Services
- County Work Crews & Community Service
- Forensic Diversion & Transition Programs
The leadership transition comes at a pivotal time for the department. Recent state budget shifts have impacted the Indiana Department of Correction (DOC) grant funding, meaning Harry will take the helm as the department navigates a 2026 budget that requires innovative solutions to maintain high levels of supervision with reduced state aid.
